Qi Siye quickly returned to Wen Yan’s side and helped her up.
“Sorry, Wantang is afraid of the dark. I have to find her before nightfall.”
His tone was urgent. After speaking, he let go and turned toward the car parked by the roadside.
Wen Yan watched his resolute departing figure and slowly sat down on the steps.
The coin landed on the side she had guessed before tossing it.
Fools repeat foolish actions yet expect different outcomes.
She was even more foolish—knowing the outcome yet still doing it.
A burning pain shot through her ankle. Sunlight fell on the wedding dress’s hem, and the dazzling scattered diamonds made her eyes sting.
She bit her lower lip hard, swallowing back the futile urge to cry.
The only thing she could do was not let herself look pitiful.
After three years together, she couldn’t say she liked Qi Siye all that much, but expectations had inevitably grown.
Now, all her expectations had been dashed.
The shop assistants gathered around, speaking cautiously, “Miss Wen, are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Go about your work, don’t worry about me.”
Wen Yan sat hugging her knees. The guilt she had felt over last night’s incident dissipated in that moment.
She hadn’t expected the scales to balance in such an absurd way.
Unfortunately, Qi Siye didn’t even seem to notice the obvious red marks on her chest.
The assistants exchanged glances and eventually retreated quietly.
After a while, someone brought a warm, soft fur coat and gently draped it over Wen Yan’s shoulders.
Inside the Maybach, Qi Siye gripped the steering wheel, his mind flashing with Wen Yan’s pale face, a look of concern crossing his features.
Fortunately, Wen Yan had always been independent and could take care of herself.
Wantang was different. Ever since her brother passed away, she had become particularly fragile, unable to withstand even the slightest storm.
Wen Yan didn’t know how long she had been sitting on the steps outside the shop. The sky shifted from bright to dark, neon lights replacing the sun as the city’s vibrant nightlife clamored into view.
Just as she was about to stand up, two luxury cars pulled up in front of the shop, one after the other.
The window of the first car rolled down, and Chen Xiao leaned out. “Sis-in-law, trying on wedding dresses?”
Wen Yan forced a smile and nodded. “Out for fun?”
“Yeah, want to join us, sis-in-law?”
As soon as Chen Xiao spoke, a woman’s playful scolding came from inside the car.
“They’re trying on wedding dresses for their private time as a couple. Why are you butting in?”
Chen Xiao slapped his forehead and laughed. “Look at me, too caught up in having fun. I won’t disturb you and Brother Ye then.”
The window rolled up, and the car drove off, but the one behind didn’t move.
The rear door opened, and a pair of finely crafted thin-soled leather shoes stepped onto the ground with a steady, light sound.
Hearing the noise, Wen Yan looked up, her gaze lifting.
Him again.
Why did he always appear when she was at her most vulnerable?
Last night was like this, and now too.
“Where’s Qi Siye?”
Xie Cheng wore a black silk shirt, the top button at the collar undone, sleeves rolled up to his forearms.
He leaned casually against the car door, one hand in his trouser pocket, his posture relaxed yet exuding an air of cool, refined elegance.
His gaze swept over Wen Yan’s well-fitted wedding dress, her delicate makeup, and the lingering traces that hadn’t fully faded. His Adam’s apple subconsciously bobbed.
The wedding dress suited her perfectly—sexy and cute. The lingering memories from that night suddenly surged within him like scalding hot water.
To be precise, the lingering memories from those four years.
Under his gaze, Wen Yan straightened her back. “He’s inside.”
A strange sense of pride made her unwilling to admit to this man that she had been abandoned once again.
Xie Cheng's lips curled into a cold smile as his gaze swept over her wedding dress. He remarked indifferently, "This dress doesn't suit you."
He paused before uttering two words: "Tacky."
The word "tacky" ignited all the patience Wen Yan had mustered for the day.
A surge of nameless anger flared up, burning so fiercely it tightened her chest.
What right did he have to judge? Who did he think he was?
Yet beneath that anger lay an acknowledgment she herself was unwilling to admit.
It wasn't just tacky—it was downright laughable.
"Si Ye is still waiting for me inside. Excuse me."
Her ankle throbbed with a piercing pain. Gritting her teeth, she mustered every ounce of strength to stand up.
Thankfully, the voluminous skirt of the wedding dress concealed any signs of distress.
Xie Cheng said nothing more. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, took a deep drag, then stubbed it out and tossed it into a trash can.
Returning to his car, the Cullinan's engine roared to life as he swiftly merged into traffic.
Only when the taillights had completely vanished did Wen Yan let her tense shoulders slump, leaning against the glass door for support.
She had been holding herself together with sheer willpower. Now that the resolve had faded, pain surged through her in waves.
Still, after sitting alone for so long, her mood felt less heavy than before. She had sorted through the emotions that needed processing.
"Miss Wen, you have a call."
A shop assistant retrieved her handbag from the fitting room. Wen Yan took out her phone and saw Lu Zheng's name on the screen. She moved to the VIP lounge to answer.
"Hello, Officer Lu."
"Reporter Wen, are you free to meet now?"
When Lu Zheng contacted her, it was usually for official business. Wen Yan provided the address of the bridal shop.
Even though the past couple of days had been a mess, work couldn't be neglected.
Noticing her difficulty moving, the shop assistant approached and asked, "Miss Wen, should we take you to the hospital for your foot? We can arrange transportation."
"No need. I'll change and leave shortly."
Wen Yan changed back into her own clothes and selected a pair of soft flats from the store to wear.
Her injured foot had swollen considerably, with bruises visible beneath the skin. Any movement sent sharp pains shooting through it.
About ten minutes later, Lu Zheng arrived. Seeing her struggle to walk, he immediately stepped forward to support her.
"What happened to your foot?"
"I took a fall. Probably sprained it."
"I'll take you to the hospital."
Lu Zheng couldn't help but feel suspicious, finding her alone in a bridal shop with a foot injury, but he refrained from asking further questions.
"Thank you, Officer Lu."
Wen Yan didn't refuse. A sprain could be minor, but it could also mean a fracture—it wasn't something to take lightly.
Lu Zheng replied with an air of solemn duty, "Serving the people is my responsibility."
Wen Yan offered a faint smile. Once seated in the car, she asked, "What brings you to me, Officer Lu?"
"There's a case where we could use your social connections and public trust to help with the investigation."
Moreover, after working with Wen Yan on multiple occasions, Lu Zheng had come to admire her in-depth investigative skills.
Wen Yan agreed readily. "Of course. Same as always—once the case is closed, I get the first-hand information and an exclusive interview."
Her rise in journalism wasn't just due to her sharp writing; it also relied heavily on her collaboration with the police.
"However, this case involves far-reaching implications and powerful forces behind it. There could be risks."
Lu Zheng rubbed his thumb against the steering wheel, his expression grave.
He needed Wen Yan's help but worried about putting her in danger.
"Just tell me what needs to be done."
Wen Yan remained calm. In her view, journalists and police shared some common goals:
Seeking the truth, exposing crime, upholding social justice, and protecting the public interest.
Achieving these goals has never been easy.
Lu Zheng glanced at her through the rearview mirror and finally nodded. "Alright, I'll discuss it with you in detail tomorrow."
As they neared the hospital, Wen Yan spoke up, "Just stop here. I'll go in by myself."
Lu Zheng was somewhat uneasy. "Let me accompany you."
"If people see me getting too close to the police, it won't be good for our collaborative investigation."
"Don't worry, I can handle it."
Collaboration, while maintaining independence, was Wen Yan's principle.
Understanding her temperament, Lu Zheng didn't insist further and pulled the car over to the side.
After bidding him farewell, Wen Yan walked alone into the hospital emergency department.
After examining her, the doctor recommended staying overnight for observation, with a more detailed checkup scheduled for the following day.
Holding the admission form, she dragged her injured foot and slowly made her way toward the inpatient ward.
As she turned the corner of the corridor, two familiar figures came into view.
Jiang Wantang leaned against Qi Siye, tilting her rosy cheeks upward as she spoke with a smile, her eyes and brows filled with dependence on the man beside her.